In the adulting years, I realized, the Christmas and yearend season can get stressful and draining with the blended rush of remaining work, multiple parties, and numerous bouts of shopping and other errands (It's even hard to sneak in writing this piece). Nonetheless, what still gets me excited at this time is the chance to revisit the songs I discovered and enjoyed throughout the year, especially through Spotify Wrapped. More than the songs, I also like to reflect on the moments and thoughts soundtracked by these songs. This led me to a resolve to come up with a playlist of the songs that marked the year, which I call "My Tracks of the Year."
From my inaugural 60 or so tracks playlist last year, I've picked 100 this time. Many of these songs are new releases this year and new discoveries, yet highlights from this year also come from tracks I once heard in the past years but now have deeper meanings to me as they chronicle my musings in the past months.
It's difficult to highlight a few tracks when there is so much to share, but still I have picked 10 for this blog.
(A big part of these songs have come from a playlist I shared back in my birthday last June, which I call my Mid-Year Melodies. You can check them out here whenever you want. )
1. Breathing - Great Good Fine Ok
This year has further confirmed that the music of American duo Great Good Fine Ok. There's something in their craft that speaks to me, both in sound and, much more, in words. I've discovered them on Spotify (the first of these songs will is part of this highlight later) since 2019, and ever since they've become part of my Spotify Wrapped.
"Breathing" has become one of my fave picks from their recent releases this 2024, as its lyrics reflect what I have felt about my workdays: mundane and tedious, made heavier by anxious thoughts, comparisons with happy lives of people, and wonderings of why this or why that. And sometimes the days just got more tense as responsibilities at work and home intertwine and have to be balanced.
And, in spite of all that, I have no other choice but to keep going, and thus I find myself breathing, staying alive each day and deciding to show up wherever I need to show up. Still getting through the day and finding relief and often fulfillment when the hard work finally gets done.
2. IS IT WORTH IT - Rae Khalil
This track is part of my Mid-Year Melodies last June, where I noted that I can relate to the thoughts it sang, circling on the question "Is it worth it?". I myself ask the same with work and relationships (not even talking about a romantic one).
But here, I'm highlighting this track as it is one of the songs I've discovered from listening to Trevor Nelson's Rhythm Nation on BBC Radio 2, a public radio station in the United Kingdom that has now become regular background to my day. I also discovered a male group named No Guidnce, one of the few who mark the resurgence of boy and girl groups today in RnB, as Mr. Nelson played "White Tee" on his show for a week.
For over a year that I've listened to Rhythm Nation, I've cultivated a love for soul and RnB music thanks to a great mix of classic and fresh picks played each night. Too bad I haven't stumbled upon Rhythm Nation earlier, since the program will end its run on January as Mr. Nelson will do an afternoon show on Radio 2 (which will be evening here in the Philippines). Knowing this, I'm glad that he played my request back in late November, one of his last All Request Shows, which is "Long As I Live" by Toni Braxton—again, another discovery from the show.
All those songs I mentioned I've placed across my Spotify playlist.
Also in the playlist: Is It A Crime?, Let It Rain, and Nostalgic by No Guidnce
3. Strange Things - Double
The RnB vibes continue with this pick. An Instagram reel pulled me to listen to this piece, and soon I'd love the cool music this Japanese RnB artist has made. It's amazing how the East (Japan, Korea, and even the Philippines), can take stuff from the West and then make it their own.
I mean, how come I have heard this just this time? Or perhaps, this discovery came just in time when my love for soul music has been blooming. And, I guess, this also came in time when I can no longer bear denying what I felt this year.
Also in the playlist: Love of Mine and Angel by Double
4. Rocket Love - Elifas Sonaru
Here's another pick from my Mid-Year Melodies, which has been a repeat play back in the second quarter of the year.
While #2 marks my appreciation for a show on a national radio station, this one marks my big love for a program on a local radio station — and still in UK!
The John Leech Soul Show, airing Sunday afternoons (late nights here until first hours of Monday) on BBC local radio stations in the southeastern part of Great Britain (primarily in Essex), has also become a background to my commutes and work days, whether I listen on catch-up or live. The four-hour show has also nurtured my love for soul with the rare grooves, deep cuts, popular essentials, and new discoveries it plays, including this one, which is from a neighbouring country, Indonesia. Every show is a delight, especially as I hear Leechy connect with his audience and vice-versa. I'm glad that this connection is extending to the other side of the world, especially as I share this joy of listening to the program with my virtual cousin, Ate Alexis, who is actually a more active fan of the program than I am. 😅
Also in the playlist: The Lovers by Alexander O' Neal; The Very Best of You by Change; Genie by The B.B. & Q. Band; The Night by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
5. YOU GET ME - TWICE
What's a personal playlist without TWICE?! 😅 I'm not includng this though just for the sake of including TWICE, which I'm still surprised are among the top artists in my Wrapped this year; but this marks one of my memorable moments in 2024.
Back in June, I was blessed to be one of the many ONCEs (general term for TWICE's fanbase) who got to watch the fan meet with Korea's National Girl Group in Mall of Asia Arena, out of buying a lot of Oishi bags with their merchandise. It was surreal when I was there, coming from a tiring week closing a big-ticket post-event supplement (bundled with pressures I now regret I allowed to overrule my composure).
Once I entered the venue, the overthinking was forgotten, the lethargy faded away. That was two hours of pure joy, a well-appreciated treat even before my birthday.
Why "YOU GET ME," though, not "I GOT YOU," "ONE SPARK," or even "Strategy"? Maybe it's because that's the feeling such music artists can give. They get us, at least virtually and briefly, even if they're simply speaking to us through their music or amusing us with their talents and personalities, and even if they're just miles away within a single concert venue. And, I think that's also the feeling we get — or we hope to get — with people close to us, people who matter to us.
Also in the playlist: COUNT IT by Nayeon; Supernatural and How Sweet by NewJeans
6. Thinking - Great Good Fine Ok
We're getting more personal and introspective for the latter half of these highlight list, starting off with another Great Good Fine Ok track. This is the first song I discovered from the duo back in, I think, early 2019, in my first year at work. By that time, I just liked the slow dance-like vibe of the song, how it smoothly eases through the verses and the solid chorus.
This year, as I listened to it over and over again these past months, "Thinking" means so much to me because its words deeply resonate with how much I've been clouded by my thoughts and overwhelmed by my feelings.
It all started when I can no longer deny the feeling of missing a presence, a company I cherish (or wish I cherished more). I guess I set aside those affections and let them bottle up. ("I can feel the air when we're apart")
I found myself often thinking a lot about past memories and dreaming about what could be, what could have been, and even what I think couldn't be. Things are not happening yet but I already made up my mind about how they will turn out. ("I figure out the end before the start" / "Thinking about the future and the past")
And, as the song resolves at the latter end, I concluded that there's no other way out but to let the thoughts out in the air, finally telling what I felt and what I feel.
Actually, after I did all that, I don't think what's on my mind was erased. My thoughts still somehow spiraled me down. I have wondered why I have to feel this way, and why things have to happen that way. Nevertheless, I'm now happy that I've started moving forward from this phase, and I'm thankful for that missed presence who understood and heard me in spite of all these.
I'm including this track as well because around this time I also found a new bunch of company who understand how much younger generations have been "overthinking" a lot and how important it is to process such thoughts. Since it launched on radio station DWAN 1206 AM, Overthoughts with Sam and Joe has been a part of my weekday routine. I found connection with the two hosts, and I'm glad this connection expanded to fellow listeners. "Overthoughts" has been a safe and cozy space to go to after loaded and often draining work days, as we think out loud on the topic of each episode (whether it's about relationships, career, childhood, etc.). Whenever I listen to "Overthoughts" I can say that I'm not alone in overthinking. Not that I'm saying it's a healthy thing to do. It's a normal part of life, but we don't have to get stuck on it for long. Neither should we dismiss overthinking and deny it; we should rather embrace it, then take a step back to assess our thoughts, and make decisions on how we will move forward.
Also in the playlist: Better Without You and Let's Talk by Great Good Fine Ok
7. Am I Dreaming - Ol Skool
The sentimental mood continues with this track, which I discovered after random listens to RnB songs on Spotify. It soon has become a regular listen when I walk around the subdivision at night, with its breezy and somber tunes—weaved together by RnB groups Ol Skool and Xscape with a fine signature touch by Keith Sweat—cooing me while I was alone in my thoughts.
And as I listened to this song and reflect on myself through the song's sentiments, I realized that I myself might have been caught up on my own dreams or, I should better say, expectations. And speaking of expectations, one of my biggest lessons this year, out of many posts that I've bookmarked and sent to myself on Messenger: Expect nothing, accept everything. It's a mindset that I'm beginning to embrace, and hopefully it helps. And I think it does.
Also in the playlist: Faded Pictures by Case ft. Joe and Don't Wanna Be A Player by Joe
8. Take Me Back - Jonathan Ogden
To complement the somber thoughts evoked by the previous songs, here's one from the indie/alternative contemporary Christian music sphere that has served as a comfort for this writer and listener amid the raging seas within him.
It's actually a spiritual wake upper for me right from the very start of the song:
I felt this is the same call for me, inspiring the same prayer as Jonathan Ogden highlighted here. It seems that I've been drifting away, especially as demands of work and various pursuits get in the way of quality time in prayer and Scripture, meaningful and heartful ministry, and a joyful walk with the Lord in the world. I sought for joy in other sources when I'm convinced it's God who can give that the best. I admit I still wonder how I could receive such joy, yearning that I can tangibly experience it; but still, where else should I go?
So, I'm one with this song's concluding plea:
And, just to think of it, it's not just up to us to get back to Him. I've realized it's really Him keeping his hold on me. Maybe that's the reason why the song is called "Take Me Back." No matter where we go, it's Him holding us and bringing us back to Him.
Also in the playlist: When the Night Comes Around by Jonathan Ogden
9. Let Love Lead The Way - Spice Girls
Aside from rediscovering songs I've liked just a few years ago, I also found new love for a lot of songs from the 90s and early 2000's, especially from boy and girl groups, which now have a special place in my heart.
Thanks to some CDs from a surplus box that I bought, I got into Will Young's Fridays Child, Pixie Lott's Turn It Up, and a few Now That's What I Call Music albums. Soon, I'd hear again The Corrs' In Blue, which I cherish more now than I did back in college. Then, out of the blue after a Sunday worship service, I yearned to hear "Drowning" by Backstreet Boys. And, with a year close to becoming 25 years old, "Never Had A Dream Come True" by S Club rings true to me that I want to sing it the next time I get involved in a karaoke night.
And to culminate all these love for millennials' music, here's what I think is an underrated song from Spice Girls. Thanks to the Pop Playback page on Instagram, I suddenly got hooked on this song after I saw its reel on my commute after our company's Christmas party.
The song's message just makes sense to me, and adulting times make songs like these from more than 20 years ago much more real and meaningful. You wonder about a lot of things, but you just keep going with life, whatever it gives you and wherever it takes you. Good thing we're not really left alone, even if we sometimes feel we're facing life on our own.
10. Ready Enough - Sidibe, feat. Devin Morisson and Herb Alpert
And we're completing this highlight list with another rediscovery that unfolded further reflections for me. I discovered this on a late night back in 2022, perhaps because I've started following Devin Morisson from a songs a friend liked. This year, I've discovered more of Devin Morisson's music, some of which I think make great beds for newscasts or simply The Weather Channel in the 1990s. But, more importantly, my love for this song by Sidibe, with a touch of Herb Alpert, was reborn not only because of its 80's/90's-influenced vibe but also for its words about appreciating one's self and becoming a better version of one's self.
While the line "I'm already love" still confuses me since I know I'm not loveable apart from God's grace (and I'm loved in spite of being unlovable at first), the song inspires me to think that maybe at this time in my life I should not feel pressured into into getting to know someone towards a relationship leading to a lifetime partnership. What if I know more and care for myself first? Then, hopefully, along the way I can really know and care for someone too, even if I feel I'm not ready to commit.
Also in the playlist: Black Winter Lodge and Anita Valentine by Devin Morisson
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If you reached this point, thank you for lending your time reading (and listening) through this list. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it. 🙂
I hope you can go through the entire 101-track playlist which you can access here. 👉 (click here)
Is there any track that marked your year? I'd love to know. Just give a comment (you'll find it somewhere below this post).
A blessed new year ahead to you, dear reader! 🎆🎇
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